In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, the java-1.8.0-openjdk packages mistakenly included the SunEC provider, which does not function properly on this system. With this update, SunEC has been removed from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 version of java-1.8.0-openjdk.

Prior to this update, the java-1.8.0-openjdk packages incorrectly provided "java-devel", which could lead to their inclusion in inappropriate builds. As a consequence, the "yum install java-devel" command in some cases installed java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel instead of the intended Java package. This update removes the providing configuration, and java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel can now be installed only by using the "yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel" command.

Previously, the OpenJDK utility displayed characters containing the umlaut diacritical mark (such as ä, ö, or ü) and the eszett character (ß) in PostScript output incorrectly. A patch with support for umlaut and eszett characters has been applied, and OpenJDK now displays these characters correctly.

The java-1.8.0-openjdk package for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 did not provide the "java" virtual package. Consequently, when a package needed to use OpenJDK 8, it was necessary to require "java-1.8.0-openjdk" instead of commonly used "java". Now, it is sufficient to require "java" as expected.

OpenJDK used a copy of the system time zone data. This could cause a difference between OpenJDK time and the system time. Now, OpenJDK uses the system time zone data, and OpenJDK time and the system time are the same.

Red Hat now provides debug builds of OpenJDK in optional channels. With installed debug builds and JVM or JDK switched to using them, it is possible to do detailed HotSpot debugging. The debug builds can be used via alternatives or direct execution, in the same way as regular Java builds. Note that debug builds are not suitable for use in production, as they operate at a slower rate.

Users of java-1.8.0-openjdk are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which fix these bugs and add this enhancement. All running instances of OpenJDK Java must be restarted for the update to take effect.

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